Louis IV of Legnica

What people wore

Expensive żupan costs for wealthy burghers

Wealthy townspeople owned multiple żupans, often valued between 20 and 50 złotys, with the most expensive pieces reaching up to 300 złotys.

Daily life

Home-based nobility education

Children of the nobility were often educated at home, with lessons sometimes including physical training like throwing spears or archery, while girls were trained in household management, sewing, and embroidery to prepare for their future roles as wives and mothers. Formal education was often tailored to the child's age, and parents were warned against using excessive force, as it could cause the child to lose their presence of mind.

Work

Mandatory serfdom labor requirements

Peasants were required to perform compulsory serfdom labor on noble estates for two to three days each week.

Music

Carnival sleigh rides and masked balls

Noble carnival celebrations included sleigh rides from mansion to mansion with musicians playing dance music, culminating in masked balls where noblemen dressed as peasants or Gypsies.

At the table

Staple foods in peasant diets

A peasant diet during this period was primarily based on rye bread, with adults consuming 0.6 to 0.9 kilograms daily, alongside porridge, peas, and cabbage.

Getting around

Splendor and challenges of noble travel

Magnates displayed their status through massive caravans, sometimes using hundreds of horses and even exotic animals like camels to carry their extensive possessions. For security, travelers often had to hire armed guards or use oaths to ensure the reliability of hired transport helpers.

What it cost

Cost of poultry in Warsaw markets

In 1619 Warsaw, a well-fed capon cost 10 grosze, while a fat goose reached up to 20 grosze.